My Pretty Baby: Seeking Truth and Finding Healing
My Pretty Baby is a devastating yet transformative memoir that chronicles Wendy Correa's journey to heal from childhood traumas, including the death of her father when she was seven, emotionally distant older siblings, and an adventurous yet violent alcoholic stepfather. It’s a story of not belonging and the eventual healing that comes from building your own chosen family.
Wendy embarks on a path of self-discovery through Buddhism, meditation, plant medicine, yoga, nature, Native American spirituality, 12-Step programs, and psychotherapy. Along the way, extraordinary experiences unfold. She stands on the Rose Bowl stage, singing “Give Peace a Chance” with rock’n’roll royalty, attends AA meetings with legendary musicians while working at A&M and Geffen Records, and even gets to hang out with her musical hero, Joni Mitchell. Native American sweat lodge and vision quest ceremonies further strengthen her sobriety and mental well-being.
Her life takes a new turn when she moves to Aspen, becoming a radio DJ and assistant to the gonzo writer Hunter S. Thompson. There, she meets her future husband, with whom she builds the family she always longed for. Yet, despite her newfound peace, she is repeatedly drawn back into her family’s dysfunction. After her mother’s death, Wendy uncovers a painful family secret that finally brings closure to her lifelong question: what really happened to my family?